Walks near Lewes and Southease

Discover Lewes and SoutheaseWalking the Glynde route, you can see Mount Caburn hill fort and National Nature Reserve, Glynde Place (an Elizabethan mansion), plus panoramic views of the South Downs National Park, Ouse Valley and Lewes. On the Southease and Lewes Brooks route, enjoy the path along the River Ouse and see the delightful villages of Rodmell and Southease including their interesting churches. The South Downs way section provides beautiful views.Looking for somewhere to stay? Try YHA South Downs (at Itford farm) www.yha.org.uk/hostel/southdowns

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Leave your car at home, take the train

Start/Finish/Finish

A26

Monk’s HouseChurch

LewesBrooks

National TrustCar ParkPlace

Bungalow

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Piddinghoe Lane

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South Downs

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Piddinghoe Lane

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Southease

Rodmell

Mill Hill

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Route Instructions From the station turn left along

the lane. Shortly after crossing the bridge over the River Ouse turn right through the gate and follow the riverbank path for about one mile. Just after the 2nd kissing gate turn left down the embankment.

Go along the bridleway track across “The Brooks”. As you enter Rodmell Village, pass the National Trust car park and then Monk’s House on the left.

Turn into the road on the right (signposted to Barley Field), then where the road bends 90 degrees,

turn left along the footpath down the side of Place Bungalow.

When you reach cross paths turn right across a large field to the road.

Turn right onto the road (please use caution!) and follow the grass verge, crossing the road just before you reach Northease Manor. Just after the manor, turn left up a concrete farm track signposted “Northease farm” and climb up onto the downs.

At the top of the scarp, turn left and follow the South Downs Way across the junction on Mill Hill, then turn left through the gate that’s

to your right. Follow the South Downs Way down the hill, passing through a gate at the bottom.

Turn left through another gate and onto a farm track, still following the South Downs Way signposts. Follow the track until you reach a fenced paddock on the right. Turn right up to the road. Cross the minor road and then the main road (take care!).

Go straight down the side road to Southease Village. Go straight ahead with the church and green on the right and follow the road back to the station.

Southease and Lewes Brooks

Distance: 5.5miles/8.8km

Time: up to 4 hours

Shorter route: 3.5miles/5.6km – 2.5 hours

Train: Regular services to Southease Station (from Seaford or Lewes)

Access: Mostly flat, one steep hill

Key:

Public house

Incline

Church/chapel Walk Footpath Bridleway

Details correct at time of going to print. Please be aware that routes are shared with other users (vehicles, pedestrians, dogs, horses etc) and users of the SDNPA Walk and Ride Leaflet Series do so at their own risk. We do not accept any responsibility for loss, damage or injury, however caused, arising directly or indirectly from use of this leaflet. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2013.

Contact usSouth Downs National Park Authority

Tel: 0300 303 1053 Web: www.southdowns.gov.uk

Twitter: @SDNPA Facebook: SDNPA

Please follow the Countryside Code: Leave gates as you find them and keep dogs under close control or on a lead.

Where in the South Downs National Park:

Southease/Glynde

0.5miles0.5km

Start/Finisht/Finis

A26

A26

A27

A27

B2192

Post Office

GlyndePlace

Church

MountCaburn

To YHAItford Farm

Dew Pond

GlyndebourneOpera House

DewPond

Tumili

Long Barrow

NationalNature Reserve

Malling DownNature Reserve

SoutherhamNature

Reserve

SaxonDown

Golf ClubHouse

Lewes GolfCourse

Glynde

Lewes

Ringmer

River Ouse

River Ouse

New Road

Lew

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Lacy’s Hill

Ranscombe

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Route Instructions From the end of station approach turn left along

the road into Glynde Village and then left again along Ranscombe Lane – a few yards past the Post Office.

Go right through the gate and follow the footpath to a stile. Cross the stile and follow the footpath which climbs steadily up onto a shoulder of Mount Caburn.

Where the path levels out, turn left along the fence line leading to the gate into the National Nature Reserve and the summit of Mount Caburn. Return to the route by retracing your steps to point 3 and turn left over the stile. Follow the unfenced path downhill and when you reach the field corner bear left over the stile into Southerham Nature Reserve. Follow the grassy path along the floor of the valley bottom.Shortcut: Instead of crossing the stile when leaving Mount Caburn, go straight ahead alongside the fence for about 200yds. When you see a gate on the left, turn right down the unfenced track opposite, and rejoin the full walk directions at point 10.

Go through the gate next to the Dew Pond and climb diagonally up the side of the valley across the field. Beyond the next gate turn left on the path and climb uphill until you reach the gate to the Lewes Golf Club Clubhouse.

Pass to the left of the clubhouse.

Turn right down the access road and see panoramic views over Lewes. At the fork in the road, just before the houses, fork right along the rough track (or to visit Lewes continue straight ahead downhill instead).

Turn right sharply up a steep flight of steps. Continue uphill and straight across the golf course (following waymark posts) – care is needed to keep to the path line and avoid golf balls when signs advise. Cross the stile onto open access land and continue.

Go through two gates and continue to the sky line at Saxon Down. Follow the track straight ahead,

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skirting the copse and on to the Dew Pond. Before reaching the gate, take a sharp right turn.

Go along the chalky track which passes to left of an old quarry (with views of Glyndebourne Opera House on left). Fork left, then go straight ahead over two stiles and follow clear track across open downland where you will see point 3 in sight about 200 yards ahead. Look out for a gate on the right, then turn left down the unfenced track opposite.

Follow the track downhill to the road (you will see Glynde Village in front of you). Then turn right past Glynde Place and Glynde Church and eventually back to Glynde Village, retracing your steps to the station.

South Downs National ParkThe South Downs National Park is Britain’s newest National Park, rich in landscape, culture and wildlife. Discover ancient woodland and enjoy spectacular views as you explore the open downs and heathlands. Within these landscapes lie bustling market towns and peaceful rural villages, historic houses and the remains of ancient settlements. Discover another way to visit the South Downs National Park. Go to www.traveline.co.uk or call 0871 200 22 33 to find public transport information. For train timetables, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 484950.

Glynde, Mount Caburn and Lewes

Distance: 6.5miles/10.4km

Time: 4.5 hours

Train: Regular services to Glynde Station (from Brighton or Eastbourne)

Access: Hilly, some stiles

Key:

Incline

Nature reserve

Church/chapel

Golf course

View Walk Footpath Bridleway

0.5miles0.5km